If you are still using Chat Heads, part of Facebook’s Messenger application, then maybe you can get some use out of its newest feature, stickers. Now I know, Messenger was lacking one thing this whole time and it was certainly kitten stickers, so this should do the trick.

To access stickers, simply hit the smiley face next to the location setting icon and you will see them pop up. If you hit the little shopping basket, you will also be taken to a store where you can get even more stickers. They are listed as free, so I’m guessing there will be an option to buy paid sticker packs in the future. How very uninteresting. 

Go grab it if you want it.

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Facebook Messenger Updated, Brings Adorable Cat Stickers is a post from: Droid Life

The past couple weeks have been pretty big for Facebook, first launching Chat Heads and following it up with Home. To make sure that you never leave Facebook’s applications, they have upgraded their Messenger app again today to include free VoIP calling for people in the US.  If you need to get ahold of someone on your Facebook friends list, this feature is live in your Messenger app right now. 

Clicking on the “i” button inside the chat window in Messenger will bring up the option for “Free Call” and once you click that you can enjoy your VoIP service from Facebook.  And for those that might ask, no this does not use any of your plans minutes, purely data.

We know a lot of you are pretty anti-Facebook, anyone actually plan on using this?

Via: The Verge

Facebook Rolls Out VoIP Feature to Messenger App for Android is a post from: Droid Life

Initially, since Facebook Home is said to only be compatible with about five devices, we figured it would be the same for the Chat Head feature as well. As most know, Chat Heads is the only part of the Home experience we are really excited about, so to see that after an update to Messenger, that Chat Heads works just fine on any device is pretty great. 

Once FB Messenger is updated through Google Play, you can take your conversations anywhere with you, as the little Chat Heads follow you no matter what app or video you are viewing. If they get in the way, simply toss them off of the display with a swipe of the finger.

Once I get some time to play with it, you can expect to see a little hands-on video with the new feature later today. Until then, go get your chat on.

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Facebook Messenger App Updated, Chat Heads Available For All is a post from: Droid Life

If you are big fan of all things Facebook, including Messenger, you’ll be pleased to learn that the latest update introduces a voice messaging system. Oh, boy. You know, for those times that an emoticon, photo, or tapping of your keyboard won’t do the job. Your virtual friendship begging can now be taken to a whole new audio level.

In the update, with a message open and contact selected, you’ll see a new “Record Voice” option under the three-dotted settings button. Once tapped, you get to a screen with a voice equalizer, record toggle, and “Done” button. Press and hold that record toggle and you can tape up to a minute of your best Catfish-esque, faux-model inspired, 3-year-long lie. Just keep in mind that if you let go of the record toggle, that it’ll automatically send. If you want to cancel the recording before the girl four states away realizes you are an internet sham, feel free to slide your thumb off to the side before picking it up. Neat, right? 

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VoIP Testing

On a somewhat related note – the audio part – Facebook is reportedly testing VoIP (Voice over IP) service in Canada. Should users adopt it on some feverish level, there is a chance that it comes to the U.S. or other parts of the world. Can you imagine, free calling through Facebook to its billions of users? Well, we don’t necessarily know if it’ll ever be that free, but in testing, it certainly is. Talk about a way to shake up the phone world.

If you own an iOS device and are freezing your buns off in a neighborhood to our north, feel free to load up Messenger and look for a special “Free Call” icon.

Via:  TechCrunch

Facebook Updates Messenger App With Voice Message Feature, Tests VoIP in Canada is a post from: Droid Life

Starting today, users in some international countries which include Venezuela, India, Indonesia, Australia, and South Africa are able to use Facebook Messenger without even having a Facebook account. Once the Messenger app is installed on their device, all they need is their name and a phone number. After providing the necessary info, the application scans for available contacts (kind of like Kik), then you’re free to group message, share photos, and more.

No word from Facebook yet on if we can expect this same update here in the U.S., but it was mentioned that it would be rolling out to additional countries in the following weeks. If you wouldn’t need an actual Facebook account to use their Messenger service, would you feel more inclined to use it? I’m sure plenty of younger folks would indeed.

Via: Facebook

Facebook Messenger for Android Updated, No Longer Need an Account to Chat is a post from: Droid Life

It looks like Facebook’s policy of applications engineers being forced to use the Android application to see how bad it was is working. Head over to Google Play today and you will find two sizable updates to the Facebook for Android application and Facebook Messenger as well. 

In the original app you’ll find a laundry list of enhancements and all of them are welcome:

• New button in upper right of News Feed quickly show who’s available to message
• New design for conversations in Messages
• When sending messages, see who’s active so you and your friends know how soon to expect a reply
• Improvements to make the app more secure and reliable, including bug fixes for errors during multi-photo selections, device restarts and push notifications

Overall the application just feels snappier in general. It’s still far from perfect and not the best Facebook app out there but this is a good step in the right direction. Pair this with the improvements to Facebook Messenger, including a slide-out contact menu and a more traditional looking messaging thread.

Do you still use these two applications daily or have you moved onto to other social networks?

Facebook for Android | Facebook Messenger

Facebook Application and Facebook Messenger for Android Seeing Upgrades is a post from: Droid Life

Facebook has pushed an update to Google Play for their official Messenger app. Included in the update are a ton of new features and also some added improvements. With these new features you can swipe to delete individual messages, share larger photos, and switch between conversations, thanks to in-app notifications. Dang Facebook, you’re finally doing something right.

New Features:

• Quickly switch between multiple conversations with in-app notifications
• Include friends of friends in conversations
• Swipe to delete individual messages from conversations
• See who’s available when you start a new conversation
• Share bigger photos, tap for full screen and pinch to zoom

More improvements:

• Faster app loading, navigating and sending
• More-reliable push notifications
• Bug fixes

Go grab it.

Play Link

Facebook Messenger for Android Receives Large Update in Google Play is a post from: Droid Life